Tentative start to negotiations

Negotiations in Lome between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Sierra Leone's government finally began on Thursday but were immediately adjourned after the rebels raised the issue of their leader's freedom, news organisations reported. "We asked the government to clarify its position on the question of (Foday) Sankoh's freedom," Omrie Golley, legal adviser to the RUF, told Reuters. He added, though, that Sankoh's release was not a condition for continuing the talks, which are being held in Lome. The government temporarily released Sankoh from prison to allow him to attend intra-RUF peace talks early this month and this week's negotiations. The question of his freedom was raised in a plenary attended by mediators from the Togolese government, the UN and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), news organisations reported. Diplomats said mediators made a tactical error by placing such a contentious issue at the top of the agenda, Reuters reported. Bishop Giorgio Biguzzi, who is in Lome as representative of the Inter Religious Council, said on Thursday morning "the atmosphere is positive and there is a concrete possibility that Sierra Leone reach a long awaited lasting peace," the Missionary News Agency (MISNA) reported. This view was echoed by the presidential spokesman, Professor Septimus Kaikai, who told IRIN on Thursday that "there are concerted efforts on both sides to resolve the crisis". An information officer representing the UN mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) told IRIN that both sides seemed committed to continuing with the dialogue which was due to resume at late Thursday afternoon. The Lome talks were officially opened on Tuesday.